Electric snap switch



A. CARLING ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH Filed April 26. 1928 Patented Aug. 16, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTH UR GARLING, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- HENTS, TO REYNOLDS SPRING COMPANY, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, A CORPORA- 'IION OF DELAWARE.

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH.

The invention relates to an electric snap switch.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive electric switch of the snap toggle type which will be strong and durable in construction, easy to manufacture and be capable of a quick make and break and at the same time be positively maintained in its oil? and on positions.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an electric snap switch of this type which will indicate the position of the oscillatory switch or contact member with relation to the contacts with which it cooperates.

With these and other objects in view. the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described. illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form. proportion and minor details of construction, within the scope of the claims. may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an electric snap switch constructed in accordance with this invention. f

Fig; 2 is a similanview showing the other side of the electric switch.

Fig. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. 4 is a central transverse sectional view. the operating lever and the oscillatory switch member being in a central alined position.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the body portion of the operating lever.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the oscillatory switch member.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the supporting member or bracket.

In the accompanying drawing in which is illustrated the referred embodiment of the invention 1 designates a supporting member or bracket of approximately U-shape, composed of spaced sides 2 and 3 and spaced tranverse connecting top portions 4 which provide an intervening opening 5 to accommodate an operating lever 6. The operating lever consists of a body portion havmg spaced sides 7 and a connecting top portion 8 which is extended to form curved arms 9 projecting in the direction of the swinging movementof the operating lever and bearing the words on and oil' and adapted to indicate the position of an osclllatory switch or contact member 10. The supporting member or bracket and the body portion of the switch member are preferably constructed cach ot a single piece of sheet metal but any other suitable material may. of course. be employed in the construction. of the device. The supporting member is provided adjacent the opening 5 with alined bearing openings 11 for the reception of a pivot or fulcrum pin 12 which passes through the said openings 11 and also through alined openings 13 in the sides 7 of the bodv portion of the operating lever. Th operating lever has a limited swing betwcen the transverse connectin portions 4 of the top of the supporting member and tho sidcs of the body portion extend below the pivot or fulcrum pin 12 and are provided with alined bearing 0 enings 14 for the reception of a rocking guide 15 con sistinsr of a plate having reduced terminal portions forming trunnions 16 which are arranged in the openings 14 and the said plate 15 is provided with a central guide opcninr 17 through which passes a slidable rod 18 having a head or enlargement 19 adiaccnt its lower end 20. The rod 18 supports and carries a coiled spring 21 and its lower end 20 is arranged in a central opening 22 in the bottom portion of the oscillatory switch member 10.

The oscillatory switch member consists of a yoke and is approximately U-shaped. its lower or outer portion 23 being reduced in width and adapted to cooperate with spaced contacts (not shown) of the ordinary construction. The sides of the oscillatory switch member are provided at their upper "portions with hearing openings 24 and are pivoted to the supporting member 1 by lugs 25 extending laterally from the sides at the center of the' lower portions thereof and -forming a pivot for the oscillatory switch member. The operating lever is'adapted to be oscillated to swing the rocking guide and the upper end of the rod 18 from one side of the center of the device to the other and thespring will operate as a snap to cause a quick throw of the switch member 10 from one position to the other.

One of the sides of the supporting member is provided at one side of the center with a laterally projecting terminal stop lug 27 which limits the swing of the switch member in one direction and the switch member is provided with an approx mately L-shaped arm 28 extending from the upper portion of one side of the switch member and projectino' inwardly into a substantially segmental recess 29 in the side 2 otthe supporting member. The recess 29 is located at the opposite side of the center from the terminal stop lugs 27 and the wall at the unner end of the recess 29 forms a stop which is engaged by the arm 28 and which limits the movement of the switch member in the opposite direction from the terminal lug 27. When swinging the operating lever to actuate the switch member to carry the same to its open position the operating lever is adapted to contact with the arm 28 and positively kick off the oscillatory switch member so that there will be no liability of the switch member becoming frozen in its closed position.

The operating lever is provided with a shank 30 having a head or button 31 of suitable insulating material and suitably secured to the top portion of the operating member centrally thereof.

The switch is simple, practical, compact and inexpensive and is positive and reliable in its operation. It is adapted to produce a quick movement of the oscillatory switch or contact member and it produces a positive kick 01f in the movement of the oscillatorymember from its closed position and the spring 18 which is compressed in the movement of the switch member from one side of the center to the other positively maintains the switch member in each of its positions.

What I claim is:

1. An electric switch including a supporting member, comprising spaced sides and a connecting top portion provided with an opening, one of the sides at one end having a laterally projecting terminal stop lug and at the opposite end having a substantially segmental shaped recess, the sides each having a lug extending laterally therefrom atthe center of the lower ortion thereof and forming pivots, an oscil atory switch member approximately U-shaped with the sides of the same at their inner portions directed outwardly, resulting in the outer portion of the switch member being reduced in width, said outwardly directed portions of said arms of the switch member at their free ends having bearing openings engaging over the aforesaid pivot lugs of the supporting member, one of the arms of the switch member having an inwardly directed element projecting into the aforesaid segmental shaped recess in one side of the supporting member for cooperation with one end of said segmental recess to limit swinging movement of said switch member in one direction and the aforesaid stop lug on one side of the supporting member limiting the movement of the switch member in'the opposite direction, an operating lever pivoted between the sides of the supporting member and a spring connection between the switch member and the operatin lever, the aforesaid inwardly directed element projecting from one of the arms of the switch member extending into the path of the operating lever to provide a positive kick-oft for the switch member.

2. An electric switch including a supporting member comprising spaced sides and a connecting top portion provided with an opening, one of the sides at one end having a laterally projecting terminal stop lug and at the opposite end having a substantially segmental shaped recess, including a straight edge, the sides each having a lug extending laterally therefrom at the center of the lower portion thereof forming pivots, an oscillatory switch member approximately U- shaped, the arms of which have bearing openings in their free ends engaging over the aforesaid pivot lugs ot' the supporting member, one of the arms of the switch member having an inwardly directed clement projecting into the aforesaid substantially segmental shaped recess in one side of the supporting member for cooperation with the straight edge of said substantially segmental shaped recess adjacent the inner end of the latter to limit swingin movement of the switch member in one irection, the aforesaid stop lug on the supporting member arresting movementof the switch member to limit the movement of the switch member in the opposite direction an operating lever pivoted between the sides of the supporting member, and a spring connection between the switch member and the operating lever, the said inwardly directed element projecting from one of the arms of the switch member extending into the path of the operating lever to provide apositive kickolt for the switch member.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ARTHUR CARLING. 

